Leave No Trace Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, and More
by Janani
Updated Jun 29, 2023
Leave No Trace Film
"Leave No Trace" is a 2018 drama film directed by Debra Granik, based on Peter Rock's 2009 novel "My Abandonment." The story revolves around a military veteran father (Ben Foster) suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, who lives in the wilderness with his young daughter (Thomasin McKenzie). The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and was released in the United States on June 29, 2018, by Bleecker Street.
It garnered widespread critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of Foster and McKenzie. Notably, "Leave No Trace" holds the distinction of being the most-reviewed film with a perfect 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Leave No Trace Ending Explained
In the final moments of the film "Leave No Trace," the story reaches a poignant and open-ended conclusion. Here is an explanation of the movie's ending: Throughout the film, we follow the journey of Will (Ben Foster) and his daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie) as they live off the grid in the forests of Oregon.
However, their isolated life is disrupted when they are discovered by authorities and social workers. They are placed in a home on a farm, where they have a sense of stability and a chance to integrate into society.
In the closing scenes, we see Tom adjusting to her new surroundings, attending school, and participating in activities. While she appears to adapt well, it becomes evident that she still yearns for the freedom and connection to nature that she experienced with her father in the wilderness. The contrast between the structured life she now leads and the untamed wilderness she left behind is palpable.
Meanwhile, Will struggles to conform to the expectations of societal norms and finds it difficult to adjust. The film subtly portrays his discomfort and longing for the simplicity and solitude of their previous life. He eventually makes the decision to leave, recognizing that he cannot fully adapt to this new way of living.
In the final moments, Tom discovers a package left by her father, containing a harmonica. This gesture signifies his love and support for her, as well as a reminder of their shared experiences and connection. Tom, torn between her loyalty to her father and her desire for a more conventional life, makes a choice.
The film leaves the audience with an open ending, as we witness Tom standing at a crossroads. It is unclear whether she decides to stay and fully embrace her new life or follow her father into the unknown.
The ending encapsulates the theme of individualism, the struggle between societal expectations and personal freedom, and the complexities of the father-daughter relationship. Ultimately, the film invites viewers to contemplate the choices we make in life, the pursuit of happiness, and the profound impact of human connections.
Leave No Trace Plot
Will, a military veteran suffering from PTSD, and his 13-year-old daughter, Tom, live in seclusion in Forest Park near Portland, Oregon. They rely on survival skills, rarely venturing into town for supplies. Will sells his VA-issued medication to another homeless veteran to support themselves.
Their peaceful existence is disrupted when Tom is seen in the woods, leading to their arrest by park rangers and intervention by social services. After the assessment, they are provided a house on a Christmas tree farm in rural Oregon in exchange for Will's work.
Tom adjusts well, showcasing her advanced education despite never attending school. Will reluctantly takes up work on the farm but struggles with the noise of the helicopters used for tree transport. Tom befriends a local boy and becomes involved in the 4-H youth club. Social services continue to monitor them closely, adding to their paperwork.
One day, Will abruptly decides to leave, and Tom reluctantly follows. They return to their camp in the park, only to find it destroyed. They attempt to travel in a railroad boxcar but eventually hitch a ride with a trucker who takes them to a remote forest area in Washington state. Forced to build a temporary shelter, they stumble upon a vacant cabin where they settle.
However, Will leaves to find food and doesn't return. Tom discovers him injured at the bottom of a ravine. With the help of local quad bikers, she seeks assistance and refuses to take him to the hospital. They find refuge in a mobile home community where a former Army medic treats Will's injury. They are given a trailer to stay in as Will recovers, and a service dog helps him with his nightmares.
Tom embraces her new surroundings, learning about beekeeping and attempting to secure a rental agreement for the trailer without informing Will. However, Will insists they leave. Tom expresses her disagreement, telling him that what afflicts him doesn't affect her.
Tearfully, they share a heartfelt hug and part ways. Tom returns to the trailer community, while Will goes back to the woods. Later, Tom leaves a food package in the forest as a gesture for Will to find it.
Leave No Trace Cast
Cast
Character
Ben Foster
Will
Thomasin McKenzie
Tom
Jeff Kober
Mr. Walters
Dale Dickey
Dale
Dana Millican
Jean Bauer
Michael Prosser
James
Derek John Drescher
Larry
Isaiah Stone
Isaiah
Leave No Trace Where to Watch?
You have the option to watch "Leave No Trace" on Netflix. Additionally, you can stream the movie by renting or purchasing it on platforms such as Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu, and iTunes.
To get started with Prime Video, follow these steps:
Leave No Trace Netflix
Yes, Leave No Trace is available on Netflix. Here are the simple steps to login to the Netflix account.
That's it! You are now ready to start streaming on Netflix. Enjoy!
Leave No Trace Trailer
Leave No Trace Ending Explained - FAQ
In the final moments of the film "Leave No Trace," the story reaches a poignant and open-ended conclusion. Here is an explanation of the movie's ending: Throughout the film, we follow the journey of Will (Ben Foster) and his daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie) as they live off the grid in the forests of Oregon. However, their isolated life is disrupted when they are discovered by authorities and social workers. They are placed in a home on a farm, where they have a sense of stability and a chance to integrate into society.
"Leave No Trace" was directed by Debra Granik.
The film is based on Peter Rock's 2009 novel "My Abandonment."
The story revolves around a military veteran father suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, who lives in the wilderness with his young daughter.
The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and was released in the United States on June 29.